Electric switch.



E. M. HEWLETT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAILBQ. 1909.

1,010,425. a H V Patented Dec.5, l911.

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ELEGTRIG SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAILZD, 1909. v

Patented Dec. 5, 1911.

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E. M. HEWLETT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAR.20, 1909.

1,010,425. Patented Dec.5,1911.

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EDWARD M.

ELECTRIC COMPANY, A' CORPORATION OF YORK.

UNITED STATES PATENT ornron.

HEWLETT, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO GENERAL- ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1911 Application flled March 20, 1909. Serial No. 484,646.

To whom it concern:

Be it known that I, EDWA D M. HEWLE'I'I,.

a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain. new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches,

7 of which the following is a specification.

' operating mechanism for'moving the con My invention relates to electric switches, particularly disconnecting switches of the a transmission-line and side by side in aline ment with the conductors .which they control without reducing the space between adjacent phases toa dangerous extent.

In carrying out my invention, cooperating contacts are arranged to move relatively to each other and a cover is provided for protecting-the contacts from the weather when the switch is closed. A casing is also provided into which one of the contacts is withdrawn; when the switch is opened and the tacts is alsoinclosed and thereby protected from sleet and snow.

In the preferred construction, one of the- .contacts is mounted to reciprocate into and out of a tabular casing mounted in alinement with the conductor to which the switch. is connected, the contact being reciprocated by means of a rotatable operating member,

preferably an insulator, which is operated from the ground and is connected to the reciprocating contact in such a manner that a comparatively slight angular movement of the insulator will cause an extended move-..

ment .of the reciprocating contact. The switchis made long andnarrow and all the live parts are soarranged that when a number of switches are mounted side by side in alinement with the conductors which they control the space between the live parts of,

adjacent phases is practically the same 'at the switches as it is at .other parts of the transmission line.

. My invention will best beunderstood in connection with the accompanying drawings,

which illustrate one of the various forms in which my invention may be embodiedand in which Figure 1 is a side view in .elevation of a switch .for one conductor of the transmission line; Fig. 2 is an end view of the switch shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view partly in section of the protecting casing for the reciprocating contact and the gearing by means of which the rotatable insulator actuates the contact; Fig. 4 is a cross-section of Fig. 3 with the pinion and gearing shown in elevation; Fig. 5 is a. plan view of the .mechanism shown in Fig. 4, with the protecting casing and the reciprocating contact removed; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of one end of the tubular easing into which the reciprocating contact is withdrawn; Fig. 7 11s a cross sectionalong the line 77 of Fig.

6; Fig. 8 is an end view. showing three switches mounted side by side to control a three phase transmission system; Fig. 9 is a bottom view of Fig. 8, showing the gearing "forthe simultaneous operationof .the

switches; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of v 1 the fixed contact and cover; and Fig. 11 is a' .longitudinalhorizontal section of the cover over the fixed contact with the fixed and movable contacts shown in elevation. 1

In the specific form of switch shown in the drawings, abase 1 of anymaterial suit- .able for mounting on a tower or pole of the transmission line supports stationary in sulators 2 and 3 of anysuitable type which. will resist the pull of the conductors of the transmission line and properly insulate the conductor. The circuit is controlled by means of relatively .movable cooperating contacts of any suitable kind, mounted on the insulators 2 and 3 and in the preferred form of construction, a cover/1, mounted upon the insulator 2, contains the fixed or stationary contact 5, which preferably is made in the form of a contact clip having two spring blades, as best shown in Figs. 10 and 11. LThe cover 4: is so arranged that it completely incloses and, protectsthe fixed contact'against sleet, snow or other deposits which would interfere with the operation of the switch. The fixed contact cooperates with a movable contact 6 mounted to reciprocate in alinement with the transmission line conductor controlled by the switch, the movable contact being preferably made of angle-iron as best shown in Fig. 7, and provided with a contact tip for engaging the blades of the clip contact 5. The movable reciprocating contact is supported and guided on the stationary insulator 3 by means of a block 7, and in the specific arrangement shown inthe drawing, a clamp ing member 8 holds in firm engagement with the block 7 acasing 9, into which the reciprocatin contact 6 I is withdrawn as the switch 1s opened. The casing 9 is mounted horizontally and in alinement with the conductor of the transmission line and is preferably made of a piece of iron tubing of suflicient size to inclose the reciprocating contact 6. In order to assist in breaking any arc which might be formed in case the switch is operated to open the circuit while current is flowing, horns 10 are secured to the cover 4 and the clamping block 8 and are bent away from each other to .act like a horn break lightning arrester.

The reciprocating contact 6 is mounted in the casing 9 in any suitable way toslide longitudinally of the casing and to remain in electrical connection with it. In the pre ferred construction, a grooved guide wheel 11 journaled in the block 7 acts as a support for the reciprocating contact and also maintains the contact in electrical connection with the block 7 and the casing 9. The reciproeating contact is provided with a bar 12 arranged longitudinally of the contact and of a shape to fit in the groove of the guide wheel 11, the bar being provided with teeth to form a rack and connected to the contact by means of a supporting strip 13, riveted to the bar and to the contact as shown in Fig. 4. The contact is held with the bar in the groove of the guide wheel 11 by a holding wheel 14: mounted in the clamping member 8, in a position to engage the reciprocating contact, as shown in Fig. 7.

The movable contact 6 may be reciprocated in any suitable manner but since the contact and the horizontal casing 9 are alive at the potential of the transmission line, the preferred arrangement for actuating the movable contact comprises an insulator 15 of suitable mechanical ,and dielectric strength mounted for angular movement about an axis and preferably mounted, as shown in the drawings, to rotate about a vertical axis which is at right angles to the horizontal casing 9 and intersects the line of movement of the reciprocating contact 6. The preferred construction comprises a ver tical shaft 16 suitably journaled in the base l fi'and extending down to a point where an a operating handle 17 can be attached at a 65 height convenient for the operator. Suitable connections are provided between the insulator 15 and the movable contact for reciprocating the contact and thereby opening and closing the switch when the vertical shaft 16 is rotated by means of the operating handle 17.

Where a number of the switches are mounted side by side, as is customary in polyphase transmission lines, it is desirable that all the switches be operated simultaneously at one movement of the operating handle, and in accordance with my invention, this result is attained by gearing the rotatable insulators of all the switches together by any suitable gearing, such as sprocket wheels 18 and chains 20, shown in Fig. 8, so that when the vertical shaft 16 of one switch is rotated, the corresponding shafts of the other switches are rotated at the same time and to the same extent.

In order to secure a quick movement of the switch, it is desirable that a comparatively slight angular movement of the rotatable operating member or insulator 15 should cause the reciprocating contact 6 to move over a distance of several feet and in accord--' ance with my invention the rotatable insulator is connected to the reciprocating contact through some form of gearing or other sultable connection which will cause the reciprocating contact to move through a distance whichis greater than the chord of the are described by the rotatable insulator. It

lis also desirable that the lateral dimensions of the gearing between the rotatable insus lator and reciprocating contact be kept as small as possible, in order to permit several switches to be mounted side by side in alinement with the conductors without reducing the space between the live parts of the switches to such an extent that there is danger of arcing between the phases. Vari- 'ous forms of geairn'g ma be used to secure this result, but in the pre erred construction, whlch I have shown in the drawing, the reclprocatlng contact is actuated by means of a contact actuator, such as a gear wheel 20' I on the circumference of the contact actuator V or gear wheel 20 moves. The gear and pinion .are suitably journaled in a block 23, mounted in alinement with the axis of the rotatable .insulator 15 and held in definite relation to the gear wheel 20 by means of a flange 24, engaged by rollers .25 on the gear wheel 20, as shown in Fig. 4. The block 23 is prevented from moving laterally by means of an annular projection 26 cooperating with a corresponding annular groove cut in the bottom of the gear wheel 20 and its upper end is rigidly secured to abell shaped cover 27, which incloses and protects the gearing and overlaps the gear wheel 20, as shown in Fig. 3, to such an extent that foreign substances cannot be carried into the-gearing. The cover 27 fits into an opening 28 in. the lower side of the horizontal casing 9 and practically fills said opening, so that there is no opportunity for foreign substances to be carried into the casing. The cover 27 is held in definite relation to the horizontal casing 9 by means of a clamping yoke 29,

which binds the casing between the yoke 29' and the cover 27. The reciprocating contact and the rack bar 12 are held in definite relation to the pinion 22 by means of a grooved holding wheel 30 journaled in the clamping yoke 29 and engaging the upper edge of the reciprocating contact.

The operation of the switch is as follows :\Vhen the circuit is closed, the contacts are in the posit-ion shown in Fig. 1 and both the fixed. and movable contacts are protected against the weather by the cover 4 which substantially incloses them. If itis desired to open the switch, the vertical shaft 16 is rotated through a definite angle by means of the operating handle 17, thereby imparting an angular movement about the vertical axis to the insulator 15, which partially rotates the gear wheel 20 and in turn rotates the gear 21 and pinion 221 Since the pinion is-in mesh with the rack bar 12 of'th'e reciprocating contact, the relation between the angular movement of the insulator 15 and the distance traveled by the reciprocating contact depends upon the proportions of the gear wheel 20, the gear 21 and the pinion 22, which meshes with the rack, and all theseproportions can be varied as desired to make the distance through which the reciprocating contact is moved in response to the definite angular movement of the insulator 15 as great or as little as desired. When the switch is fully open, the movable contact is completely covered by the casing, as shown in Fig. 6, an d is protected from the weather. The rack 12 and the gearing are both thoroughly protected "at all times against the introduction of foreign substances. Since the form of gearing shown is very compact and the lateral dimensions of the cover 27 are not great,the

reduction in striking distance between adjacent phases due to the presence of the casing 9 and cover 27, both of which are alive, isso slight that the switch can be installed in alinement with the conductors of a polyphase system without danger of arcing between phases on account of the live.parts of the switches being in tooclose proximity. When the switch is to be closed, -aslight movement of the insulator 15 in the reverse direction will project the reciprocating contact from the casing 9 and bring it into the cover 4, where it engages the fixed contact and I therefore do not wish to be restricted to the precise arrangement disclosed but aim in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope ofmy' invention.

' \Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s:

1. In an electric switch, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts, one of which is mounted to reciprocate, of a contact actuator mounted for angular movement about an axis which intersects the line of movement of said reciprocating contact, and connections of substantially the same width as said actuator between said actuator and. said reciprocating contact for rendering the travel of said 0011- tact greater than the'length of them'pat-h traversed by said actuator.

2. In an electric switch, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts, one of which is mounted to reciprocate, of a rotatable actuator for said reciprocating contact mounted to rotate about an axis which is perpendicular to and intersects the line of travel of said reciprocating contact, and gearing between said actuator and said contact for rendering the travel of said contact greater than the length of the v are described by said actuator.

3. In an electric switch, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts, one of which is mounted to reciprocate and has teeth thereon to form a rack, ofa

movable actuator for said contact mounted for angular movement about an axis which intersects the line of movement of said reciprocating contact, and gearing controlled by saidactuator and in mesh with said rack for moving said reciprocating contact a distance greater than the lengthof the are de M scribed by said actuator.

4. In an electric switch, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts, one of'which is mounted to reciprocate, of a contact actuator mounted for angular movement about an axis perpendicular to and intersecting the line of movement of said reciprocating contact, and connections between said actuator and said contact of substantially the, same width as the actuator arranged to render the travel of said contact difl'erent from the length of the are described by said actuator.

5. Inanelectrie switch for polyphase circuits, the combination with relatively movable'cooperating contacts for. each phase,

one of said contacts in each phase being mounted to reciprocate, of actuators corresponding in number to said reciprocating contacts mounted for angular movement about an axis, which intersects the line of movement of said reciprocating contact, and connections of substantially the same width as said actuators between an actuator in each phase and a reciprocating. contact in the same phase whereby the travel of each contact is rendered greater than the length of the are described by its actuator.

6. In an electric switch for polyphase circuits, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts for each phase, one of said contacts in each phase being mounted to reciprocate, of a contact actuator for each reciprocating contact mounted for angular movement about an axis, which intersects the line of movement of said reciprocating contact, and gearing of substantially the same lateral dimensions as said contact actuator connected between an actuator in each phase and a reciprocating contact in the same phase to render the travel of said contact greater than the length of the are described by said actuator, and connections' between said actuators for operating said actuators simultaneously.

7. An electric switch comprising a reciprocating contact, a gear wheel mounted to rotate about anaxis perpendicular to and intersecting the line of movement of said contact, and gearing between said gear wheel and said contact for rendering the travel of said contact greater than the length of the are described by the circumference of said gear wheel, said gearing being of substantially the same dimensions along a line perpendicular to said axis and to the line of movement of said contact as the diameter of. said gear wheel, whereby the striking distance between adjacent phases is not reduced by said gearing.

-8.- In an electric switch, the combination with relatively movable cooperating contacts, one'of which is horizontally mounted to reciprocate, of a horizontal casing for inclosing said reciprocating contact when the switch is open and having an opening in the lower wall, a movable actuator vertically mounted to extend into said casing and to have an angular movement about an axis which intersects the line of movement of said reciprocating contact, and gearing in said casing between said actuator and said contact to reniler the travel of said contact greater than the length of the are de-' scribed by said actuator.-

9. An electric switch comprising a fixed contact, an insulated casing mounted adjacent said contact, a terminal on said casing, a cooperating reciprocating contact mounted in metallic engagement with said casing to be projected from and withdrawn into said casing, a movable actuator extend:

ing into said casing, and a gearing in said casing between said actuator and said contact whereby movment of said actuator causes said movable contact to reciprocate.

10. An electric, switch comprising a fixed contact, a cooperating reciprocating contact and a horizontal tubular casing having an opening in the lower wall and arranged to cover said reciprocating contact when the switch is open, a rotatable actuator vertically mounted to extend into said casing through said opening, and gearing between said actuator and "said reciprocating contact whereby rotation of said actuatorcauses said contact to be projected from or withdrawn into said casing.

11. electric switch comprising a fixed rotatable insulator rotatably mounted inalinement with said fixed insulators, and

connections between said rotatable insulator and said reciprocating contact whereby rotation of said rotatable insulator'reciprocates said contact. v k '13. An electric switch comprising relatively movable cooperating contacts, one of which is mounted to reciprocate, an actuator mounted to rotate about an axis erpendicular to and intersecting the line 0 movement of said reciprocating contact, a gear wheel mounted on the end of said actuator, and means wherebyrotation of said gear wheel causes reciprocation of said reciprocating contact. 14. An electric switch comprising relatively movable cooperatingcontacts, one of which is mounted to reciprocate and has teeth thereon to form a rack, an actuator mounted to rotate about an axis erpendicular to and intersecting the line o? movement 'of said reciprocating contact, a gear wheel mounted on the end of said actuator, a pinion in mesh 'with said rack, and a gear connected to said pinion and in mesh with said gear wheel.

15. .An electric switch comprising rela tivelyrmovable cooperating contacts, one of which is mounted to reciprocate, an actuator mounted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to' and intersecting the line 0 movement of said reciprocating contact, a gear. wheel mounted on the end of said actuator, a casing arranged to inclose said gear wheel, a pinion journaled in said casing in mesh with said rack, and a gear connected to said-pinion and in mesh with said gear wheel.

16. An electric switch comprising a movable contact mounted to reciprocate horizontally and provided with a-rack, a gear wheel mounted to rotate about a iertical axis intersecting the line of movement of said contact, a block mounted on said gear wheel shorter than the diameter of said gear wheel mounted in said block, a gear on one end of said countershaft in mesh with said 15 gear wheel, and a pinion on the other end of said countershaft in mesh with said reciprocating contact.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 19th da of March, 1909.

EDYVARD M. HEXYLETT. 'itnesses g HELEN ORFORD, MARGARET A. DELEHANTY. 

